8. Additional Resources

8.4. Disaster Mental Health

Behavioral Health Resources

Behavioral health resources can address the immediate and long-term needs of children affected by disasters, traumatic events, or separation from their families.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

  • Mental health education and family support resources
  • Information about finding local crisis and behavioral health services
  • Connections to NAMI state organizations and local affiliates
  • Community information about mobile crisis teams, where available

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 for 24/7 crisis counseling and support related to natural or human-caused disasters.
  • Guidance for supporting children and youth during and after disasters
  • Disaster behavioral health information for families, responders, and community organizations
  • Psychological First Aid resources for professionals working with children and adolescents

National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

NCTSN provides trauma-informed resources for children affected by disasters, abuse, accidents, violence, and other traumatic experiences.

Available tools include:

  • Post-disaster guidance for parents and caregivers
  • Child and adolescent trauma screening and assessment resources
  • Guidance for schools, childcare programs, health care providers, and community organizations
  • Online training for clinicians, first responders, and child-serving professionals
  • Psychological First Aid resources
Reunification plans should identify local behavioral health providers, crisis-response procedures, referral pathways, and follow-up services before an emergency occurs.